Shadows on the Wall

Chapter 1

"Shadow, are you sure you are making the right decision leaving?" Garen asked, holding up my coat.

I could sense it in his voice that he was worried. I couldn't blame him. After all, it was the first time ever I wanted to leave the kingdom for so long. I knew that maybe he thought that I didn't want a part in ruling them anymore. I was their queen, I considered the kingdom and its citizens my family. I wasn't leaving for good, just taking a very well deserved break. Also, I think he wasn't fond of the idea because every time I left, he would be in charge and most of the time he just didn't know what to do. I trusted him enough to be sure that he would figure it out eventually.

"Listen, after everything that happened with Nadia, I just cant stay here. Understand me, please. I will be back before you know it and you get to be in charge. You love being the leader, I know you do."

Garen shook his head and looked me in the eye " I like being the leader when the team is made out of maximum twenty people and were going hunting. I have no fucking idea how to rule a kingdom, Shadow! Oh, and by the way, you wont be back as soon as you think, because believe me, a few years isnt a little time. For all I know, you can die out there and never come back!".

I snorted, way too tired to argue. Everyone tried changing my mind that day, even the cook.

"I can't stay here. I am leaving, like it or not. No one is going to die, come on! Everything is going to be fine and I am leaving Fal with you. Send her to me if anything happens, ok? You got this!".

The poor man never liked that bloody bird, but he stopped trying to get me to stay.

I put on my coat and left the castle. I really tried to feel bad about my decision , but it was impossible. I needed to be away. She was gone and never coming back, so it was hard trying to cope with that. It took a long time and it was hard, but I knew the best way to start was by being away from a kingdom made out of memories of her. I wasn't leaving for good, so no need to overthink that.

It was a month since her passing and it was hard. So hard, I was sleeping on her grave and when someone finally found me and took me in, I slept in her room. I was wasting away and I knew Nadia wouldn't want that. So I did the only thing that would make me stop thinking of her: I left. I needed to remind myself that outside was a whole world and her death wasnt the end. I didnt want to forget her ,God no, but I needed time to heal.

I took Nightmare out of the stable and we rode towards the mountain. Behind me, the castle was becoming smaller and smaller, until it was finally swallowed by the forest and the fog.

For the first time in years, I was excited. I finally got to do something else than taking care of others, I could go explore and discover things I never got to see or feel before. I was locked up in that kingdom for a few thousands of years, it was time for a change in scenery.

I was in the Realm of Men in no time and I was surprised by the silence. Everything seemed lifeless and frozen, except the dim light that came from a few windows. Other than that, everything seemed dead. No movement, no noise, except Nightmares horseshoes.

I didnt understand the silence, it was unnatural. It was pitch black, even though the moon and the stars were shining on the clear summer sky. I expected some night predators or at least some cicadas, but nothing. Maybe I was too used to the noise in the kingdom to appreciate the silence.

I continued riding, closer and closer to the heart of the Realm of Men, following a dirty pathway. I was going to the Black Order, where I knew I would be welcomed with open arms. They didnt really have a choice but take me in, I basically owned them. I was their founder, though no one knows that. Both humans and dragons look at them as some sort of thieves and criminals, but they are so much more than that. They were outcasts, people that shouldn't have been treated the way they were. I managed to get them under the same roof and to fight for the same purpose. They were my second family and, if need be, I would protect them the same way I would protect my kingdom and everyone in it.

Over the years, I helped them grow. The main residence of the Order was just a few miles away from the capital of the Realm Of Men and a few other headquarters in other locations I considered important. I arrived to the Order after two days of riding. Needless to say, my back was hurting, but I refused making too many stops. I was dying to get to the main residence of the Order and meet everyone. Well, not everyone, but the leader and the best ten out of all of them. The best ten were the smartest and most talented fighters, trained personally by the leader, who was supposed to be the best out of everyone else in the Order. Of course, when I was there, everyone would listen to me, the leader being second. I hoped things were still that way.

I pushed the gates and was greeted by the huge mansion of the Order. I wasn't surprised to see that light was shining in almost every window. No one really slept there, it was pretty much like a mad house, but I liked it . They were all people who came from nothing and had nothing except what the Order offered them. They knew how to appreciate and how to act towards someone who was in the same position they were back before they sought help from the Order. If one took their time to know them, they would like them. They were nice, not even scary looking. Both humans and dragons just avoided the because of the things that were said about them.

The others used the Black Order as a way of scaring their children before bed. Yes, the Order wasn't exactly a church door, but they always sought justice. They hurt those that hurt others. Many time the Order saved thousands of lives. Were they given the credit? No. The humans always tried hiding the good deeds of the Order under the carpet and turning them into something bad.

The Order didn't have a good reputation, that's obvious. At first, I was mad about that, but I soon understood that it was for the best. No one dared come close unless they didn't have a choice or were just very desperate for help. The Orders headquarters were safe places.

I stepped in the hallway and everything stank of alcohol. Nothing new there. It was Saturday, after all. Everyone was drinking and dancing. In the living room, their leader was waiting for me. To my surprise, it was actually a woman. She wore the batch, so that was how I knew. I never suspected the leader to be a woman and I was wondering if she was the first one. She didn't even introduce herself and I was already proud of her.

She approached me and stuck out her hand. She was very beautiful, blond hair and emerald green eyes. It looked as if a forest was trapped inside her irises.

"Agla, an honor to meet you". she said, holding her head up high, looking into my black eyes with no sign of fear. You must be Shadow. Welcome!.

I didn't feel the need to say anything, so I just followed her around, even though I knew the mansion inside and out. I was there when they built it, so I knew it better than anyone alive in those times.

" Here is your bedroom, the biggest one in the mansion. Your fighting suits are in the wardrobe. You going to sleep or want to join us for a drink?" She asked, studying my eyes with a lot of interest. I knew it was the first time she saw me, so I didn't say anything against it.

"If you have red wine, I just might ".I told her and, without waiting for a response, I went out of the way too huge bedroom. It was too big even for me. It was the same size as the living room. That meant it could easily fit in at least thirty five people.

That night I met the best ten, but I wasn't really intrigued. The only ones that god my attention were the red haired twins that had really weird names. The only way you could tell them apart was by their eyes. The green eyed one was Jef and the blue eyed one was Jep. I soon learned that they had a habit of finishing each others sentences. They weren't very subtle either:

"Man , look at her eyes", said the blue eyed one, looking at me as if I was some sort of museum exhibit.

"Right, they look like an insects! Awesome! " The green eyed one crouched in front of me, studying me with what was nothing else than curiosity.

"Don't be assholes!"snapped Agla, grabbing them both by their hair and trying to get them away from me.

It's fine, Im not mad. I would react the same way, probably a bit more reserved, but still. I admitted. It was true that my eyes aren't what one would call normal. They are all black, no iris, no white, just black as the night sky, or, like Jep said, similar to an insects.

Those three became good friend of mine by the rest of the year. In winter, on a stormy night, was when shit really went down.

A/N Hi! So the reason I am making this book is because I want to know if this plot is good. I don't want to show it to my family and friends because I need honest opinions. I am not a native English speaker, but I will try not to use this as an excuse and give my best. Enjoy!